It all started with an innocent WhatsApp message.

“Has anyone got any spare eclipse glasses? I left it too late and can’t seem to find any!”

Little did I know it but this benign missive, sent to my local community choir group on Monday morning by a nice woman called Sarah, was the unwitting catalyst for what would quickly become a deranged, Race Across the World-style quest to secure a pair for myself. My own personal odyssey, if we want to be culturally relevant.

Within minutes of her original plea, there were multiple replies. “The print shop have got some, I think – heading there ASAP!!!”

“Try the newsagents on Bouverie Road, I got some from there yesterday but they were limited to five pairs per person?”

“This link looks good – currently saying will deliver before Wednesday [prayer hands emoji].”

I’ll be honest – while I’d heard some chatter about the solar eclipse happening on 12 August, prior to this stream of “hot tips” and warm leads I had given it almost zero thought. But the funny thing is, as more messages came pinging in – “sold out online!”; “print shop has run out!”; “newsagent out of stock!” – I suddenly wanted, more than anything else in this solar system, to get my mitts on a pair. The scarcity mindset had officially set in. I struggled to focus on anything else for the rest of the day.

“They’re being stupid – it must be possible to buy them on the internet,” I thought, scornfully. “You can buy anything on the internet. That’s why it’s killing off independent businesses so effectively!”

But, of course, my lovely choirmates weren’t stupid at all. The idiot was me – blithely assuming I’d be able to casually buy a pair two days before the UK’s most complete eclipse event in 27 years.

The more I looked online, the more panicked I became. Every single purveyor was either out of stock or advertising a delivery date of Friday 14 August at the earliest, two days after the fact. Yes, even on Amazon Prime. Getting hold of a simple strip of cardboard with black plastic lenses that would ensure I could safely look upon a burning orb 93 million miles away was proving not just tricky but nigh-on impossible.

Still, this was all currently playing out in my humble hometown in Kent. Heading into London to go to the office, I reasoned things would be different there. The Big Smoke, the economic hub of this great nation, would surely be selling specs on every corner.

Alas, the situation in Folkestone was indicative of what was unfolding across the country. A cursory Google search showed that the market in London was just as much shaped by supply < demand and, consequently, the only viable strategy was to comb through a random assortment of Reddit threads and Facebook posts like a detective on the trail of the Zodiac Killer.

Jessops were said to be selling pairs, but whether or not there would be any by the time one arrived was unclear. Greenwich Observatory seemed to be the safest bet, but they warned of limited stocks (and, quite honestly, it was a mission from the City).

There were whispers of some being sold under the counter at a specific bakery by Bond Street tube station, rumours of a single convenience store near Aldgate East that had a fresh batch. Booze and Essential Putney “had 90 pairs this morning”; Snax Wimbledon “just got 300 pairs, apparently”. There was a 2am queue in Whitechapel of insomniac stargazers desperate to get some.

It was while picking through the comments underneath a post from “Muswell Hill Group and Friends” on Facebook in response to the news that Fresh Bakery in Finsbury Park had been flogging them that I realised I had accidentally become part of something – a new tribe of people driven slightly insane by a dearth of resource. “Anybody know if it is open now and if they have two pairs in stock??” wrote one anxious soul. “Driving all the way from Muswell Hill.”

And it was while dissecting a separate social media thread based on the keywords “solar eclipse glasses”, “where”, “buy”, “TODAY, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD” that I happened upon my best, most tangible lead yet: an underground WhatsApp group called Solar Eclipse London.

That’s where things truly got weird. This mysterious enterprise, whose WhatsApp community had only sprung into being on Sunday, seemed to have “ISO 12312-2 certified” eclipse inventory up the wazoo and was deploying it strategically across London. Different locations at different times; limited “drops”, with hype built by trailing cryptic clues about the next ballpark area without details of the exact whereabouts.

“Finsbury Park, we’re coming soon.”

“We have a big surprise for everyone. There is a location with over 2,000 waiting for you all. Will reveal at 2.30pm.”

“Hint being sent below”, with a picture of the glasses against a backdrop of Big Ben.

And, my personal favourite, “The location rhymes with Chutney??”

The marketing was flawless, as was the entrepreneurial nous; within the space of a few hours, the WhatsApp community had grown from under a thousand-strong to over 7,000 (and by the end of the day it had hit 9,000). And then they hinted Liverpool Street was the next station for a forthcoming “shipment”, which just so happened to be around the corner from my office (#blessed). The exact location, however, would be shared on their Instagram – with instructions to “FOLLOW AND LIKE!”, another excellent marketing ploy for engagement – and pairs would be limited to two per person. Each one would cost £5, cash only. Oh, it was on.

I grabbed two colleagues to ensure we could obtain the requisite number of pairs and headed out into the unknown, refreshing the Insta account every 10 seconds like a woman possessed. Finally, aha! “Old Spitalfields Market”. Still vaguely imprecise, but enough to go on.

The nearer we got, the more suspicious we felt. Was this all a weird prank? Was someone going to jump out and shout “Punked!” in our faces, like a Noughties Ashton Kutcher, as we stumbled around the precinct?

But any reticence disappeared once we spotted that most British of spectacles: a queue. And not just any queue. This one was long, winding, and stretching into the distance as far as the eye could see. Word had obviously spread quickly and, within minutes, the line had grown so long I could no longer see the end of it.

No point wondering how the heck hundreds of people had arrived before us – witchcraft seemed to be the only plausible explanation – we were in it now.

“This is the second location I’ve tried today,” shared the man directly behind us in the queue, with a mildly manic, desperate air. “Finsbury Park sold out this morning – I’ve just been waiting around for the next drop!”

I briefly wondered whether, if I managed to obtain some and he didn’t, I’d be altruistic enough to give up mine to this more deserving soul. No, came the disconcertingly cold answer from deep within. You snooze, you lose.

Still, there was a conviviality about the whole thing – a curiously carnivalesque spirit. People in the queue caught eyes and smiled shyly, or exchanged tales of their previous attempts to obtain a pair by trekking the width and breadth of London based on little more than hope and hearsay. Perhaps it was being drawn together around the same wholesome event, but a similar feel to that of the World Cup prevailed among these stressed yet jubilant Londoners: we were experiencing another common cause to unite us in these increasingly divided times.

We shuffled forward excruciatingly slowly, every passing minute cranking up the tension another unbearable notch. Unlike some of the other WhatsApp updates, this one had failed to include the number of spectacles on offer. There could be 30, or 300, or 3,000; there was no way of knowing.

After 20 minutes of inching along, we could finally see the front of the line. This, I knew, would be the exact moment they ran out of stock – when we were in first spitting, then touching, distance. The universe’s sick sense of humour all but guaranteed it. We were eight people from the front now. Five. Three. But, wait… They weren’t going to run out! The universe was on our side!

As we arrived at the kiosk, handed over our crisp, £10 notes, joyfully took our strips of cardboard gold and punched the air in triumph, I felt what can only be described as a shot of pure exhilaration.

Sure, it was more work than clicking “next day delivery” on Amazon – but a victory earned through the thrill of the hunt? That tastes all the sweeter.

Penny Lancaster has posted a sweet photo with her husband Rod Stewart after he announced on Tuesday that he had undergone heart surgery.

Rod, 81, has been forced to cancel the rest of his 2026 tour dates as he takes four weeks off to recover from ‘a routine coronary stent procedure’.

After sharing the news with his fans, Rod’s wife Penny, 55, shared a tribute, posting a photo of herself kissing her husband as they relaxed at home.

The photo was accompanied by the rocker’s hit song You’re In My Heart. 

The Scottish singer sparked fresh health fears just the day before after cancelling another concert due to a mystery medical issue.

It has now been confirmed that he underwent ‘a routine coronary stent procedure’, which is an operation that opens blocked heart arteries using a catheter.

Rod was due to perform a number of dates in the US and Mexico for his One Last Time tour, including a six-night stretch at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Sharing the news on his Instagram account, his team confirmed that ‘following further medical evaluation, Sir Rod Stewart has successfully undergone a routine coronary stent procedure’.

‘Doctors are pleased with his recovery, and Rod is doing very well and has returned to his normal daily activities. 

‘On the advice of his doctors, he will take the next four weeks to recuperate and regain full fitness before returning to the stage. Unfortunately, this means he will be unable to continue his current tour dates.

‘Information regarding affected performances will be communicated by the respective promoters and venues.’ 

A comment by the Maggie May singer said: ‘I’m already feeling better and very much on the mend. I want to thank the doctors, nurses and everyone who has taken such wonderful care of me.

‘I’m deeply disappointed to miss these shows and sorry to let my fans down, but I look forward to getting back on stage and having a good time with you all again soon. Rod.’

The rocker, who cancelled a string of gigs due to health setbacks earlier this year, pulled out of his August 9 gig at the Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati due to undergoing an ‘unforeseen but minor medical procedure’, organisers confirmed.

Rod, 81, has been forced to cancel the rest of his 2026 tour dates as he takes four weeks off to recover from ‘a routine coronary stent procedure’ (pictured in April)

A comment by the Maggie May singer said: ‘I’m already feeling better and very much on the mend… I’m deeply disappointed to miss these shows and sorry to let my fans down’

Rod also sparked concern when he was forced to pull out of a concert in California in June, citing a respiratory infection that had spiralled into laryngitis.

A week later, he paused his concert in Utah and used an oxygen tank on stage. This could have been due to the altitude. 

He also postponed his shows at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado in June, citing vocal rest. 

Rod later addressed the fan uproar around his decision to attend Scotland’s World Cup match, less than 24 hours after he cancelled his California show due to ill health. 

He was pictured cheering on the Tartan Army during their first World Cup match against Haiti in Boston, leading to huge backlash online.

He said: ‘No, I got an awful… I really shouldn’t have gone to the Haiti game. You know, I had to cancel a show the night before because I just had no voice left.’

Speaking to Jim White on talkSPORT, the hitmaker added: ‘But the truth is, Jim, I wasn’t going to let my two sons down.

‘I promised them since they were born that we were going to go to a World Cup. And this is the first one that’s come about. 

‘And it wasn’t a good look, I admit, but I’m going to have to just take the stick. So I did it for the boys.’

North Yorkshire Police said the theft took place at 1.30pm on June 21 at the shop in Gillygate, close to the city centre.

Officers have released a CCTV image of a person they wish to speak to, saying they may have information which could help the force’s investigation.

A force spokesperson said: “Anyone with information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police by emailing scott.nixon@northyorkshire.police.uk, visiting our website and selecting ‘Tell us about’, or using live chat on the website.”

The crime reference is 12260115113 and should be provided when contacting police.

Tony Dudley submitted the application on August 6 for a ‘single storey domestic building’ on the grounds of Grade II listed Ladyshore House, Little Lever – a building that has already been there for ten years.

In 2025, an application was made for a house on the same land, which the owner had to apply for retrospective permission as the go-ahead had originally been granted only for a double garage.

(Image: Bolton Council)

The application notes the ‘protracted’ planning history of the property, and stresses the application, in itself, ‘should not be interpreted as an acceptance that Listed Building Consent is in fact required.’

The heritage statement said: “The application has been submitted in courteous response to correspondence from Bolton Council‘s Planning Enforcement Team dated 13 May 2026, which asserts that the building requires Listed Building Consent because it has been erected within the curtilage of the Grade II Listed Ladyshore House.

“The applicant has no desire to prolong what has, in recent years, become an increasingly protracted planning history associated with Ladyshore House.

“Separate proposals elsewhere on the wider site have resulted in numerous planning applications, repeated visits from Planning Enforcement and ongoing enforcement appeals.

“Against that background, Mr Dudley has understandably become anxious to draw matters to a close wherever reasonably possible and avoid further unnecessary disagreement with the Local Planning Authority.

(Image: Bolton Council)

“It is respectfully submitted that the building causes no harm whatsoever to the significance of the Grade II listed Ladyshore House or to the contribution made by its setting to that significance.”

The building itself is described as a ‘simple ancillary domestic structure with a mono-pitched roof,’ which has been constructed using ‘traditional brickwork’.

It is used by the property owners as a ‘garden room, store and incidental recreational space,’ sitting near to the rear of a pre-existing stable building on the site.

A group of friends in Blackrod have teamed up to help transform the home of a popular village golfer who was left unable to walk, use his arms or speak after suffering a devastating stroke earlier this year.

Craig Bailey, 54, known to many as Kipper, suffered a severe stroke in February which dramatically changed his life.

Craig (right) with some of the golfing group (Image: Andrew Wainwright)

Once a self-employed joiner and a familiar face on the local golfing scene, Mr Bailey is now relearning basic skills including talking and reading while recovering at home with the support of his mother, Ann.

Among those helping to organise the project is friend Andrew Wainwright, who said the response from the community has been overwhelming.

He said: “He was always one of the main guys who organised all the golf, always at the forefront of all the laughs and the jokes.

“He was a happy-go-lucky guy and for him to have this stroke at such a young age, it shocked everybody.”

The stroke left Mr Bailey without the use of his arms and legs and although he has recently managed to say a couple of words, he mainly communicates through sounds and hand movements.

The months since have been incredibly difficult, but those closest to him say he has shown remarkable determination throughout his recovery.

Now, friends, fellow golfers and members of the local community are raising funds to build a downstairs bedroom and wet room at his home, helping him live more safely and comfortably while regaining some independence.

The planned extension will be built on an old conservatory and will provide Mr Bailey with accessible facilities on the ground floor.

Craig Bailey (Image: Andrew Wainwright)

Currently, he cannot reach his upstairs bedroom because there is no stairlift or suitable access.

Mr Bailey was an active member of local golf societies, regularly playing with friends and joining them on golf trips and holidays and Mr Wainwright said it was his popularity and generosity that inspired people to step forward and help.

“Basically, everybody in the village decided that we’d try and pull together and get him a wet room and a bedroom built downstairs.

“Craig has always been a friend to so many people, and now it is our turn to support him.”

As a joiner by trade, the loss of mobility, particularly the use of his dominant hand, has had a profound effect on both his independence and his ability to work.

Friends say the new facilities would dramatically improve his quality of life, reducing the risk of falls while giving him greater dignity and freedom within his own home.

The project will also provide reassurance for his mother, who is caring for him and would be able to see him access his bedroom and bathroom safely on the ground floor.

Builders and tradespeople are donating their time free of charge, but those organising the fundraiser are appealing for financial support to help cover the cost of materials.

They are also calling on local businesses to donate building supplies where possible.

The fundraising campaign has already raised more than £14,000 towards its £20,000 target and Mr Wainwright urged anyone who can help to get involved, no matter how big or small their contribution.

“Every donation, no matter how large or small, will make a real difference.

“If you are unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser would mean just as much.”

You can donate to the fundraiser at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-craig-kipper-get-a-downstairs-wet-room-and-bedroom

For Mr Bailey’s friends, the project is about much more than simply building the house extension, it is about ensuring a well-loved member of their community can continue his recovery with the comfort, safety and support he deserves.

The conditions are practically perfect. For most people, this evening offers the best chance in a lifetime to see an almost total solar eclipse – with the added bonus of meteor showers.

Across the country, from about 6.15pm, the moon will gradually slide across the face of the sun until it covers up to 96 per cent.

The precise moment this begins, and how complete the darkness will be, depends on where you are (see below), but everywhere can expect at least a 90 per cent blackout.

This coincides with the peak of the annual Perseids meteor shower, when thousands of space rocks burn up in Earth’s atmosphere as our planet passes through a belt of debris from comets.

To make this all the more spectacular, clear skies are expected across most of the country. 

Even in cities, there ought to be comparatively little light pollution in early evening, though inevitably many street lights will come on automatically. Out in the countryside, the skies will be magnificently dark.

Scotland will see the effect soonest, with the eclipse reaching its maximum at 7.05pm in Edinburgh and Glasgow. 

In Cornwall, at Truro, that moment will come 11 minutes later. But it doesn’t last long, with the darkness beginning to lift just two minutes after it reaches its most intense.

When and where to see the eclipse

First contact – the moment the moon’s shadow will first appear on the sun – will kick off at 18:06 in Glasgow and Edinburgh, 18:13 in Manchester and Liverpool, 18:15 in Birmingham, 18:17 in London, Bristol and Cardiff, and finally at 18:18 in Cornwall.

Viewers, taking the appropriate safety precautions, will see a small ‘bite’ disappear from the sun’s right–hand corner before slowly spreading to cover most of the disc.

At the point of greatest coverage, observers will see only a tiny inverted crescent of fire hanging in the sky.

That will happen just under an hour later, at 19:05 in Glasgow and Edinburgh, 19:10 in Manchester and Liverpool, 19:11 in Birmingham, 19:12 in London, Bristol and Cardiff, and at 19:16 in Cornwall.

After that moment, you’ll be able to watch as the moon slowly moves out of alignment with the sun until its shadow completely vanishes.

Dr Megan Argo, an astrophysicist from the University of Lancashire, told the Daily Mail: ‘For those of us in the UK and elsewhere watching the partial solar eclipse, the sky will not go completely dark and the stars will not be visible.

‘It will still get darker though as the Sun is gradually eclipsed by the Moon, but it will look more like an overcast day as the Sun’s light is reduced.’

Scientists say that you should also feel the temperature plummet during the moment of maximum coverage.

A spokesperson for the Royal Astronomical Society told the Daily Mail: ‘It’s hard to say exactly as it depends on the time of day and amount of coverage of the Sun, but usually about 1°C to 3°C during a partial solar eclipse and around 5°C during a total solar eclipse.’

Exactly how much of the sun vanishes will depend on where you are in the UK, with areas towards the Southwest seeing a deeper eclipse.

The very best place in the UK to see the eclipse will be Bishop Rock in the Isles of Scilly, where 96.5 per cent of the sun will be obscured.

Meanwhile, viewers in Land’s End and Lizard Point on the mainland will see over 95 per cent of the sun obscured.

That drops to just over 90 per cent for viewers up in Inverness, while London, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh will all see roughly 91 per cent.

However, even in the very far north of the Shetland Isles, the eclipse will still be deep enough for 88 per cent of the sun to vanish from view.

But Dr Argo says that anyone who wants to see the full spectacle of totality will have to ‘plan a trip’.

Outside of the UK, totality will be visible from Northern Spain, Greenland, Iceland, and parts of the Atlantic Ocean 

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Travelling to see the total eclipse 

The total eclipse will be visible as it passes across Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean and northern Spain.

However, hotel prices in the path of totality have soared, leaving some travellers paying thousands for front-row seats. 

An extra 1.5 million people are expected to travel to Spain for the eclipse, leading hotel prices to more than double, according to data group Lighthouse.

High-end retreats have even begun offering luxury eclipse viewing packages for the wealthiest space enthusiasts.

At the St Regis Mardavall in Mallorca, guests can shell out €15,000 (£13,000) for a stay in the hotel, a trip to see the eclipse on a private yacht, and meditation classes at sea.

On Reddit, one keen eclipse chaser even claimed to have spent €6,000 (£5,100) to charter a 54-ft yacht for just four hours in order to get the best view. 

Meanwhile, in Iceland’s capital Reykjavík, hotel rooms were priced at more than $1,000 (£740) on average for the night of the eclipse, 140 per cent more than normal.

Spain is braced to receive an extra 1.5 million eclipse-mad travellers to the path of totality, with some shelling out thousands for the experience. Pictured: NASA researchers prepare for the eclipse in Burgos, Spain 

How to get the best view of the solar eclipse

‘Anywhere with clear skies and a good view to the west will provide a great view of the eclipse,’ says Dr Argo.

‘Assuming that the weather cooperates, you will be able to see it from anywhere in the British Isles.’

However, with the eclipse happening so late in the evening, the sun will be very low on the horizon at first contact, and even lower during maximum coverage.

Even a few small trees or a low hill could completely ruin the view, so it’s important to find a spot where you can actually see the sun touch the horizon.

If you’re absolutely determined not to miss the action, consider heading out to your intended spot a few days in advance to check that the sun will be visible.

Since the sun sets in a slightly different location each day, a spot that had a great view earlier this year might not be perfect by now.

Current weather forecasts suggest that the south of England and Wales will have clear conditions during the eclipse. However, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be less fortunate 

Once you’ve found a spot to watch, it cannot be stressed enough that you must absolutely not look at the sun with your bare eyes at any point during the eclipse.

Even looking at the sun for a short amount of time can cause serious damage to your retina, which may lead to permanent vision loss.

Mohamed Elalfy, a consultant ophthalmologist and president of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, says: ‘Crucially, the retina has no pain receptors, so people will not feel the damage as it happens.

‘Symptoms may only become apparent several hours later and can include blurred vision, a central blind or dark spot, distorted vision, reduced colour perception and increased sensitivity to light. While some people recover over weeks or months, others can be left with permanent visual impairment.’

That means you need to plan in advance to find a safe way of viewing the eclipse.

Dr Greg Brown, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, told the Daily Mail: ‘By far the safest way to view the eclipse is with a simple pinhole projector.

‘This can be a box or piece of card with a small hole punched through which projects the view onto the ground or another piece of card. This way you never look at the sunlight directly, ensuring it is safe.’

Similarly, a colander can be used as a simple projector, producing dozens of little images of the Sun.

The safest way to view the eclipse is indirectly. You can use something like a colander to project an image of the sun onto a piece of card 

Alternatively, you can use specially made eclipse glasses to watch the spectacle directly without harming your eyes.

Look for those bearing the ISO 12312–2 safety standard and make sure to purchase them from a reputable retailer to avoid any chance of picking up a fake.

You should check to ensure that the lenses aren’t scratched or scraped, which would ruin their protection.  

You can check a pair for scratches by holding them up and looking at the brightest light in your house.

If the protection is still working, you shouldn’t be able to see even the slightest bit of light poking through.

If you can’t make it out to watch the eclipse, or your view is scuppered by bad weather, there will be several livestreams available to watch.

You can tune into one provided by the Royal Observatory Greenwich at this link here.

Queues for eclipse glasses

You can also use eclipse glasses with the ISO 12312-2 safety standard. Be sure to wear them the entire time you are looking at the sun 

Desperate Britons have queued for hours throughout the night in a bid to get their hands on solar eclipse glasses.

Dozens of videos shared on TikTok show shoppers forming lengthy lines outside corner shops in London, with some stretching for hundreds of metres.

The clips show crowds patiently waiting for up to three hours to purchase the glasses, which are essential to be able to safely watch the ‘best-in-a-lifetime’ event.

In one video, a car pulls up to a shop in Whitechapel, allegedly delivering an extra 10,000 pairs of glasses that had just landed at Heathrow.

Some shoppers were limited to buying a maximum of five pairs, with each priced at £9.99.

Due to immense demand, many people have been left without a pair of eclipse glasses to use tonight. 

However, do not be tempted to use an old pair that might have been lying in a drawer since the 1999 eclipse.

‘It is possible for the film on older solar eclipse glasses to degrade over time, so it is recommended to only use eclipse glasses manufactured within the last decade,’ says Dr Bloomer.

Desperate Britons have queued for hours throughout the night in a bid to get their hands on solar eclipse glasses

Can I take a photo of the eclipse?

It might be tempting to grab a few photos of the eclipse to remember this rare moment, but experts say this is not a good idea.

Although it is safe for you to look at the eclipse through a phone screen, it isn’t safe for your phone. 

Pointing your camera’s unprotected lens at the sun for an extended period of time can damage it.

Jez Samuel, mobiles expert at Uswitch.com, says: ‘A phone camera lens focuses sunlight into an intense point on the sensor behind it, and enough unfiltered exposure will kill pixels permanently. 

‘From then on, every shot carries the same dark marks. Repairs typically range from around £49 for a camera glass replacement to over £250 for a full module swap, depending on the phone.’

Astronomers and astrophotographers use special solar lenses over their cameras and telescopes to protect these delicate sensors. 

If you are desperate to take a snap, you can hold your eclipse glasses in front of the lens and get a similar effect – just be sure not to zoom in.

Although it might be tempting, don’t take a photo of the eclipse on your phone since the concentrated light can damage the camera sensor

‘Zooming concentrates sunlight the same way a telescope does, and that can burn straight through glasses never designed for it,’ says Mr Samuel. 

When is the next eclipse?

If you want to see another eclipse from the UK, the next good opportunity won’t be until November 14, 2050.

During that partial eclipse, over 80 per cent of the sun will be obscured from all parts of the UK except the far south and south west of England.

However, if you want to see totality from the comfort of the UK, you’ll be waiting until September 23, 2090.

For less discerning eclipse chasers, there will be a few smaller partial eclipses in the coming years that could be worth seeing from Britain.

On June 1, 2030, viewers will be able to see 50 per cent of the sun obscured just after sunrise.

Then, on August 21, 2036, Britain will be treated to a partial eclipse obscuring 60 to 70 per cent of the sun.

The next solar eclipse worldwide will be a rare ‘Ring of Fire’ eclipse, visible from parts of South America and Africa on February 6, 2027. Pictured: A ‘Ring of Fire’ eclipse seen from Utah in 2023

Outside of the UK, a rare ‘Ring of Fire’ eclipse will be visible in parts of South America and Africa on February 6, 2027.

Meanwhile, the next true total eclipse won’t come until August 2, 2027, and will be visible in southern Spain, North Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.

What is an eclipse?

Dr Shyam Balaji, an astrophysicist at King’s College London, told the Daily Mail: ‘During a total solar eclipse, the moon’s orbit puts it directly in front of the sun.

‘This obscures the sunlight that can pass directly towards the Earth, enabling us to see just the corona of the sun, which is the outer rim.’

Although the moon is between Earth and the sun every new moon, solar eclipses are much rarer, only occurring once every 18 months or so.

This is because the moon’s orbit is tilted by about five degrees relative to the plane on which the Earth travels around the sun.

That means that it is quite rare for all three bodies to be precisely lined up in such a way that the moon perfectly blocks the sun.

The solar eclipse coincides with the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. So, after the sun sets, there will still be an incredible celestial display to watch. Pictured: The Perseids seen over Corfe Castle, England 

In fact, it is only due to an incredible cosmic coincidence that such a perfect solar eclipse can occur on Earth.

While the moon is about 400 times smaller than the sun, it also happens to be about 400 times closer to Earth.

By pure chance, this allows the moon to perfectly obscure the sun, something which is completely unique in the solar system.

What to do once the sun has set

In another fantastic coincidence, this total solar eclipse also happens to coincide with the Perseid Meteor shower.

That means you can simply stick around outside for a full night of spectacular stargazing.

The shower, which is caused by debris left by the comet Swift–Tuttle, will actually peak on August 12 and 13, with up to 100 shooting stars per hour.

Dr Balaji says: ‘The best place to view the Perseid meteor shower is in the North East near the constellation Perseus.

‘While you can look at the whole sky and are likely to see a meteor, that’s the target location in order to get the best viewing experience.’

And the great news is that you don’t even need any special equipment to make the most of this incredibly well–timed display.

Experts are urging people to check carefully before buying solar eclipse glasses online, with counterfeiters and unscrupulous sellers accused of exploiting the last-minute rush.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK on Wednesday August 12, with more than 90 per cent of the Sun obscured by the Moon at its peak.

When is the eclipse?

The eclipse will reach maximum coverage at around 7.12pm in London, but experts have issued a stark warning about the dangers of looking directly at the Sun without proper protection.

Even a brief glance can damage the retina and potentially cause permanent sight problems.

And with many certified eclipse glasses already sold out online, shoppers who have left it until the last minute could be tempted by unfamiliar sellers, suspiciously cheap products or glasses making claims that cannot be verified.

Celestron solar eclipse glasses on sale at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, south east London, ahead of the Solar eclipse on August 12, which will be the first total solar eclipse visible over mainland Europe since 1999. (Image: Jordan Pettitt)

Kyla Black, Boots Opticians Director of Optical Practice, said: “It isn’t worth taking the risk with your eyesight.”

She warned: “No. Even when most of the Sun is covered, it is never safe to look directly at it with the naked eye during a partial solar eclipse.

“Looking at the sun without the correct protection can damage the retina, which may lead to permanent vision loss.”

Which eclipse glasses are safe?

Anyone planning to look directly at the eclipse should use purpose-built solar eclipse glasses or viewers which meet the international ISO 12312-2 safety standard.

Ms Black said: “There are several safe ways to enjoy the eclipse such as wearing certified eclipse glasses that meet the international ISO 12312-2 safety standard.

“Another option would be to watch the solar eclipse from the comfort of your own home on a livestream.”

She added that anyone using cameras, telescopes or binoculars must use specially designed solar filters.

“The same filters can also be used for the secret astronomers amongst us who own a telescope or simply a pair of binoculars,” she said.

The sun polarised through a pair of Celestron solar eclipse glasses at the Royal Observatory Greenwich (Image: Jordan Pettitt)

Can you wear sunglasses during an eclipse?

No.

Experts have repeatedly warned that ordinary sunglasses, even extremely dark ones, do not provide enough protection.

Ms Black said: “Regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, do not provide enough protection to safely view a solar eclipse.

“Only specially designed eclipse glasses or solar viewers should be used.”

Wearing two or more pairs of sunglasses is also not a safe alternative.

Ms Black said: “It’s a common myth that wearing multiple pairs of sunglasses can protect you from any harmful UV light – this is untrue and should be avoided at all costs as only purpose-built eclipse glasses can allow you to watch an eclipse.”

Check your eclipse glasses before using them

Parents have also been urged to be particularly careful if children are watching the eclipse.

Ms Black said: “You should never look directly at the sun without certified eye protection.

“As a result, parents should be particularly careful if they are going to let their children view the eclipse and ensure they supervise them closely.”

Anyone who has already bought eclipse glasses should inspect them carefully for signs of damage.

“If you’re purchasing specially made eclipse glasses, make sure to double check that they are undamaged before use as even a glimpse of damage could have an impact on your eyesight,” Ms Black warned.

Experts have also cautioned against homemade filters using household materials.

Ms Black said: “Although a fun idea for many may be to make DIY filters and pinhole projectors out of cereal boxes, this can also be dangerous.

“Objects such as smoked glass, colour film, floppy disks, X-ray film, and dark sunglasses are unable to block invisible infrared and ultraviolet rays, potentially leading to damage to your eyesight.”

She added: “Budding astronomers who will be looking through cameras, binoculars or telescopes at the eclipse must make sure they have approved solar filters attached.

“If you’re not sure your telescope does, then contact the maker of the product to ensure you know you’ll be safe.”

Fake eclipse glasses warning

The rush to buy eclipse glasses has also raised concerns about counterfeit and misleading products being sold online.

Tamzin Burch, Marketing Manager at Corsearch, said major events can create a perfect opportunity for counterfeiters.

“We see how counterfeiters exploit sudden spikes in consumer demand, and major events like a solar eclipse can create exactly that opportunity,” she said.

“Bad actors can move quickly, using online marketplaces and misleading claims to sell products that appear legitimate but may not meet required safety standards.”

She warned that when a product is designed to protect someone’s health, fake versions can have serious consequences.

“Fake eclipse glasses could give consumers a dangerous sense of security when looking directly at the sun,” she said.

“Consumers should follow official safety guidance and purchase protective products from trusted, verifiable sources.”

Daniel Mohacek, CEO of review authenticity platform TruthEngine, said shoppers should not assume a product is safe simply because it has thousands of positive reviews.

“People searching online at the last minute may be presented with products that look legitimate, carry convincing claims and have glowing reviews, but that does not necessarily mean they are safe,” he said.

“When something is designed to protect your eyesight, consumers need to be particularly cautious.”

He added: “Don’t simply choose a pair because it has thousands of five-star reviews or because the product description says it is ‘certified’.

“Look carefully at who is actually selling it, whether the seller can be identified and whether the safety claims can be verified.”

Eclipse glasses prices soar

With demand surging and many online retailers already running low, shoppers could also face inflated prices.

Marty Bauer, ecommerce expert at Omnisend, said eclipse glasses could end up being sold for four or five times their normal price.

He said: “Eclipse glasses are a perfect example of a product most people would never normally think about buying, but which can suddenly become a must-have item almost overnight.”

He added that major online marketplaces were already struggling to meet demand, meaning some shoppers could be forced to look elsewhere.

“Brits must now turn to the high street to see if any retailers were able to stockpile enough ahead of Wednesday,” he said.

“We may even see them being sold for four or five times the price at local organised events.”

How to watch the eclipse safely

The safest option for anyone without certified eclipse glasses is to watch the eclipse indirectly, rather than looking directly at the Sun.

A livestream is one option, while astronomy societies may also host organised viewing events using specialist equipment.

The Royal Observatory Greenwich has also suggested using a household colander to project the image of the eclipsed sun onto the ground, allowing people to see the changing shape without staring at the sun.

The key message from experts is simple: do not gamble with your eyesight for the sake of seeing the eclipse.

As Samuel Mather-Holgate, Managing Director and IFA at Mather and Murray Financial, put it: “Saving £5 isn’t worth gambling with your eyesight.”

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He added: “Make sure they’re genuine, properly certified eclipse glasses meeting ISO 12312-2, or use a safe indirect viewing method instead.”

With more than 90 per cent of the Sun set to be covered over parts of the UK, the August 12 eclipse is expected to be one of the most spectacular astronomical events visible from Britain in years.

But viewers are being urged to make safety their priority before looking up.

Jen Lumb, founder of Studio 444, is shortlisted for Best New Salon and Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2026 UK Hair & Beauty Awards.

The studio, located on Wigan Road, was launched with the aim of creating a different kind of beauty and aesthetics business in Bolton.

Ms Lumb said her aim was “to raise the bar for beauty and aesthetics by putting safety, professional standards and collaboration at its heart.”

Rather than operating as a traditional salon, the business provides a shared space where beauty and clinical professionals can run and grow their own businesses while offering clients a range of services in one location.

The founder said the concept was inspired by concerns about standards within parts of the industry, including unlicensed practitioners, counterfeit products and inconsistent safety practices.

By carefully vetting professionals and encouraging the use of legitimate and appropriately regulated products, she hopes Studio 444 can provide reassurance to clients while supporting practitioners to deliver high-quality treatments.

The double awards recognition marks a significant milestone for the business, which Ms Lumb built largely through her own determination and hands-on efforts.

She feels as though the Entrepreneur of the Year nomination recognises the work involved in establishing Studio 444 from the ground up, including renovating the premises herself, overseeing registrations and clinical requirements, managing marketing and even teaching herself coding skills to create the company’s website.

Ms Lumb said the journey had required a willingness to learn new skills and overcome challenges at every stage of the business’s development.

Since opening, Studio 444 has sought to create a supportive environment where professionals can collaborate, share knowledge and build successful businesses while maintaining high standards of care for clients.

Her long-term ambition is to help reshape perceptions of the beauty and aesthetics sector locally and create a model that other businesses can follow.

She said her goal is “to create a new standard that beauty and aesthetics businesses in Bolton can aspire to.”

The winners of the 2026 UK Hair & Beauty Awards will be announced later this year.

A flight to a popular holiday destination has been cancelled, while other departures were delayed, according to live flight information.

Among the delays was a British Airways service to London Heathrow, which was running more than 90 minutes behind schedule on Wednesday morning.

A Jet2 flight to Heraklion in Crete, due to depart later today, has also been cancelled. The service had been scheduled to leave from Terminal 2.

Meanwhile, another departure to Spain was showing a delay of around 20 minutes.

Manchester Airport’s live departure information showed most flights were operating as planned, although passengers are being advised to keep an eye on updates from their airline as schedules can change throughout the day.